Health and Wellness

At First Presbyterian Church we know the importance of a healthy mind, body and soul.


We offer a variety of programming throughout the year that is designed to meet the wellbeing needs of our congregation and community.



If you are looking for information on past events, please scroll down.  

Click below for information:

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To receive information on our Health and Wellness programs and schedule on your mobile device text FPCORWELLNESS to 24587


You can expect to receive an average of 1 to 2 texts a month. Standard text messaging fees may apply based on your current cellular plan.

Past Events

  • Candlelight restorative yoga & bowl Meditation

    We’ve held two Candlelight Restorative Yoga & Bowl Meditation Nights designed to restore and refresh the body, mind and spirit. The 90 minute sessions were held in the Church’s beautiful chapel and included gentle stretching on the mat with a focus on restorative yoga poses and deep breath for relaxation followed by the angelic vibrations of pure crystal singing bowls. These bowls reach through the chakra system of the body to bring a deep resonation of love, peace, inner truth, guidance and connection. Sound therapy provides great energy, healing and re-awakening the natural being.


    Becca Walker, 225hr certified yoga instructor, lead the first portion of both nights, and Elizabeth Hanifin, LCSW, psychotherapist in private practice, briefly explained the chakra connection to vibration and played the healing bowls. In her practice, Ms. Hanifin couples traditional therapy modalities such as Internal Family Systems and Gestalt therapy with energy focused modalities such as pure tone therapy, reiki, and therapeutic acupressure.


    We’ll be offering this program again in the fall.


  • 7 KEYS TO A HEALTHY AND VICTORIOUS LIFE

    Twenty people from the church, community, and yoga program joined together this past  April for a free seminar led by Lisa Buldo, Certified Health Coach, Nutrition Expert, Author, Speaker and Television Host. The event featured discussion on smart food decisions for the whole family (both at the grocery store and in meal preparation), losing weight without dieting (and keeping it off), preventing and even reversing disease, increasing energy naturally, enhancing digestion, obtaining radiant and glowing skin, reducing stress and anxiety, and finding power in words for victory.


  • Surviving the Holidays

    We held a Service of Healing and Wholeness and a program "Surviving the Holidays" with clinical social worker Perri Nunziato of Rutherford and Lyndhurst. The program included ways to get through the holidays for those suffering from a loss or depression, and also advice for their loved ones. The holidays - and the expectations that surround them - can be stressful for anyone. But for those suffering a loss through death, illness or the end of a relationship or for those battling depression and their family members and friends, the holidays can be especially trying.

    Nunziato received her Masters in Social Work from New York University. She has experience working with children and families, as well as individuals and couples. She has been in private practice for 18 years. Nunziato believes in taking a mind, body approach to helping people and uses techniques such as mindfulness practices and EMDR. Immediately following Reverend Pete Wilkinson lead a Service of Healing and Wholeness.

  • Recognizing the Subtle Signs and Starting the Conversation

    We welcomed Mental Health Clinician, Ms. Ashley Cali, for the second in a series of programs designed to raise mental health awareness and help end the stigma associated with mental illness in our community.  The program, entitled “Recognizing the Subtle Signs and Starting the Conversation,” was offered to help participants understand some of the early warning signs of mental illness that can include changes in mood, personality, motivation, personal habits, concentration and social interactions while introducing tools to help friends and family members start the delicate conversation with their loved ones.


    Ms. Cali is a practicing clinician at both the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and Care Plus, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive, recovery-focused integrated primary and mental health care and substance abuse rehabilitation services in Northern New Jersey.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors and a Field Advocate Volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.  To learn more about these organization visit their websites:

    Care Plus

    American Foundation for Suicide Preventaion

  • Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness

    We welcomed Voice Award recipient, Mr. Sean Campbell, to speak on the timely and important topic of Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness.  The Voice Awards recognizes films and television programs that accurately portray behavioral health problems.  The Award honors individuals who share their personal stories of recovery and work tirelessly to reduce discrimination and misperceptions. 


    Mr. Campbell was featured in a series on Suicide and Mental Illness in the South Bergenite. Read the article here.  He is an author, international youth advocate and filmmaker.  He has produced two documentaries "Heart and Soul: A Film Promoting Whole Body Wellness in Behavioral Health" and "How to Touch a Hot Stove" and currently serves as a peer counselor for patients in Rockland.


    Read more about Mr. Campbell’s story here.

  • Health Fair and Blood Drive

    The Membership and Outreach committee sponsored a Health Fair and Blood Drive that offered screening for hypertension, obesity, diabetes, glaucoma, age related macular degeneration and amblyopia.  Comprehensive vision screening was also available for pre-school children as well as adults. 

    Attendees were invited to bring in their medications for a “Brown Bag Pharmacy Review” which checked for obsolescence, compliance, efficacy and interactions, and explained the purpose and use of each.  Counseling on developing Advance Directives and other interfaces with the healthcare community was also available. 

    Yoga, meditation techniques and stretching exercises were demonstrated with participation invited and EMTs were on hand to demonstrate life saving first responder tactics.  Literature was on display on a variety of personal health topics such as podiatry care, melanoma and other cancer screening, osteoporosis, hypertension, and diet.

    Recipes were provided for healthy eating, school snacks and effective cold remedies and healthy foods and drink were offered free for all participants to sample.

    The Blood Drive was sponsored by the NJ Blood Center.